Pre-Order the Limited Edition 1:12 Scale 1961 Ferrari 156 Shark Nose Model Car by GP Replicas

GP Replicas has just announced four 1:12 scale replicas of the iconic Ferrari 156 F1 (nicknamed “Sharknose”) that raced to glory in the 1961 Formula 1 championship with Phil Hill winning the drivers championship. 

Model Features

• High-quality hand-made resin model
• 1:12 scale (approximately 34cm long)
• Limited edition
• Removable engine cover
• Available with or without driver figure
• Made using fine parts and the latest modelling technology
• With certificate of authenticity
• Mounted on luxury leather base with metal plaque
• Supplied with high-quality display case
• Premium packaging
• Made by GP Replicas

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A Brief History of the Ferrari 156 Shark Nose

The Ferrari 156 “Sharknose” was a revolutionary and iconic machine that dominated the 1961 Formula One season. With its distinctive twin-nostril front end and mid-engined layout, the 156 marked a dramatic step forward in design and performance for Ferrari. Powered by a compact 1.5-litre V6 engine developed by Carlo Chiti, it capitalised on the new regulations introduced for the 1961 season. The car’s superb balance, light weight, and excellent aerodynamics made it the class of the field, and it played a central role in securing both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships for Ferrari.

The 1961 Belgian Grand Prix, held at the fearsome Spa-Francorchamps circuit, was a key moment in Ferrari’s campaign — and it became a showcase of their dominance. On the long, high-speed layout of Spa, the Ferrari 156 was in its element. Phil Hill, the American driver known for his smooth, thoughtful style, delivered a masterful performance. He controlled the race from the front, taking full advantage of the car’s stability and power through the fast corners and long straights. Hill’s victory at Spa was a critical result in his march toward the World Championship and demonstrated his ability to manage both speed and mechanical sympathy — vital in the demanding conditions of early-60s Formula One.

Equally impressive at Spa was Wolfgang von Trips, Ferrari’s talented and aristocratic German driver. Von Trips finished second behind Hill, making it a dominant one-two for Ferrari. His performance underlined how well-suited the 156 was to the circuit and highlighted von Trips’ growing maturity and pace. He was emerging as a serious title contender that year, and his run at Spa showed both his speed and his ability to work harmoniously within a strong Ferrari line-up. The camaraderie and quiet rivalry between Hill and von Trips added a compelling dimension to the season, with each pushing the other to new heights.

The 1961 season ultimately ended in triumph and tragedy. Ferrari secured the Constructors’ Championship, and Phil Hill became the first American-born driver to win the Formula One World Championship. However, von Trips was killed later that year at Monza in a horrific accident that also claimed the lives of several spectators. The loss cast a dark shadow over Ferrari’s success, and the Spa one-two remains a poignant memory — a race where the talent and potential of both drivers, and the brilliance of the Ferrari 156, were on full display. The “Sharknose” remains one of the most iconic Ferraris ever built, remembered for its technical innovation, its beauty, and its bittersweet legacy.